A malicious proverb, spoken as if those whom we disparage were deriving their success from bad causes.
_Ye wad do little for God an the deevil was dead_.

A sarcastic mode of telling a person that fear, rather than love or principle, is the motive to his good conduct.
In the old collection already referred to is a proverb which, although somewhat _personal_, is too good to omit.

It is doubtful how it took its origin, whether as a satire against the decanal order in general, or against some obnoxious dean in particular.

These are the terms of it: _The deil an' the dean begin wi' ae letter.

When the deil has the dean the kirk will be the better._ _The deil's gane ower Jock Wabster_ is a saying which I have been accustomed to in my part of the country from early years.